The Legacy Trilogy

Legacy (Book 1) Release date 06/28/11
Allegiance (Book 2) Released 02/28/12
Sacrifice (Book 3) Released 10/23/12
By Cayla Kluver

  Let me just start by saying I LOVED this trilogy! It is a fantasy story about the war between two kingdoms (one ruled by men and the other by women), blood prophecies, honor and love.
  Alera, is the heir to the Hytanican throne, but as a woman she can't rule, so she is married off to the son of the Captain of the Guard. Meanwhile, Narian a Cokyrian, comes into the kingdom providing an alluring and dangerous distraction, but all is not as it seems. Traitors, war and hard choices abound throughout this trilogy. I thought Cayla did an amazing job creating the two kingdoms, pretty vivid descriptions of the landscape and layout of the kingdom, had them almost feeling like characters themselves! The well developed background story that sets the war in motion is also, pretty well tied together.
  The characters are strong and for the most part, very well written. Cayla did an amazing job with the secondary cast of characters as well (from the Captain of the Guard and his son, to Alera's stubborn and loyal guard London) there are plenty of heroes to root for, a juicy love triangle heating things up and an entire kingdom in the balance! I did find Alera slightly annoying throughout a significant portion of "Sacrifice". I felt like she was to reluctant to step up and make the hard choices (and trust me they are hard choices). I felt like it took her a lot longer to grow as a person and leader then in the previous two books. I also felt torn about Narian's character. He was, at the core of his character good, but I felt like his divided loyalties were difficult and frustrating to swallow (but maybe that's just me?). Overall, an exciting and enthralling read. Let's put it this way, I would definitely read it again. So venture into another world, you might enjoy it!

**** out of 5 stars for well written characters (some of whom I LOVED), a well developed plot, forbidden love and heroic people making hard choices for a better world.

PARENTAL ADVISORY: includes SPOILERS*** Content includes a character with magical powers he uses to enslave and torture people, mass murder and kidnapping of infants and others, various forms of torture are used on people as punishment (though not graphically so, are described). As a married women, Alera belongs to her husband and in her kingdom he has the right to her, fortunately for her, he respects her boundaries (he kisses her and fondles her on one occasion, before she asks him to stop, which he does). Another character's husband beats her (spoken of in passing rather than detailed), a couple has sex (not graphically described). Various characters posses magical powers they use to fight/heal others.